Social Control Theory

Overview of Race and Ethnicity in Criminal Behavior

Few will argue that criminal behavior occurs in disparate ways among different races and ethnicities. Some research indicates that violent crime disproportionately occurs in the minority community. For instance, academics have documented that violent crime occurs more among young African American males than among any other subgroup in the United States. In particular, young African American males are more likely than White males to commit homicide and robbery offenses. Various data sources (e.g., official statistics, self-reports) provide evidence that supports these academic findings.

Minorities also are more likely than Whites to be victims of crime. For instance, African Americans are more likely than any other racial group to be victims of homicides. Some have documented that homicide is a major cause of death for African Americans. Further, African Americans have high rates of victimization in other offenses (e.g., robbery). These issues have particular import not only for U.S. society as a whole but in particular for African American communities.

Explaining the disparities among the races and ethnicities in the context of the criminal behavior has been a challenge for criminologists. This entry outlines two types of social control theory—social bonding theory and self-control theory—and describes how they may be used to explain these disparities.

Explaining Racial Disparities in Crime

Criminologists have provided several different theoretical rationales to help explain the disparities that occur in minority groups' connections to crime. Two of these theoretical rationales come from the social control perspective in criminology. One of these theories is social bonding theory, which emphasizes a strong connection with society as an insulator against the tendency or attraction to criminal behavior. Another of these theories is self-control theory, which is an update of social bonding theory. Self-control theory emphasizes that criminal behavior is the result of a propensity (i.e., self-control) toward criminal activity and behavior. Each of these theories and empirical evidence for and against them are described next.

Social Bonding Theory

The social control theory that was formally introduced in 1969 is now known as social bonding theory. This theoretical basis provides criminologists with a different perspective on viewing criminal behavior. That is, rather than asking “why do people commit crime?” social bonding theory is designed to answer the question “why don't people commit crime?” The theory is an expansion of previous control theories. The theory proposes that individuals who have strong bonds or connections with society are likely not to commit crime. Thus, the bonds serve as a form of insulation from criminal behavior. Therefore, criminal behavior becomes likely when the bonds are worn or broken.

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